Economic low volume automated assembly

摘要

The operation of a low volume assembly automation system has been investigated in order to identify those factors which prevent its widespread use. An experimental low volume batch assembly system has been constructed. Use of this has shown that it is feasible to combine control programme instructions developed by off-line simulation, with actual cell location data collected by the assembly cell robot. The result of his combination is a control programme that will facilitate the build of products in a cell that may operate with minimum non-productive downtime and without the need for rigorous high precision engineering of cell fixtures and features. A related study has employed measurement of the forces encountered by the assembly robot to assist in the prevention of assembly system breakdown. Adoption of these techniques has been shown to reduce setup and operational nonproductive time and so to enhance dramatically the economies of the operation of a low volume flexible assembly system.